The mother of missing girl April Jones sobbed silently as 750 pink balloons were released into the evening sky on what would have been her sixth birthday last night.

Coral Jones watched with tears in her eyes during the symbolic gathering on the estate where the youngster lived, attended by 200 well-wishers.

And the 41-year-old told the Mirror: "We are doing this so everyone can get together to celebrate April's birthday."

At the upbeat event, the five-year-old's gran Lyn Smith unveiled a giant cake, themed on the Disney film Tangled.

And Ms Smith revealed how the huge treat had a sentimental significance for Coral and her husband Paul as it was the last film the youngster watched before she vanished last October.

Heartbreak: Mum Coral wept as the balloons were released (Photo: Freelance Photos North Wales)

Tangled: A Disney-inspired cake was made for the celebration (Photo: Freelance Photos North Wales)

She said: "There's a Rapunzel figure on top because it's themed on the Disney film Tangled which is a modern take on the fairy tale.

"I ordered it from a lady called Helen the Cake because it was the last film April watched before she disappeared.

"April loved the story. Today was a celebration and it was meant to be uplifting.

"It was something Coral needed to do, and something the children needed as well."

The balloons, in the youngster's favourite colour and bearing the names of children from the local primary school and other residents in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, were set free from a football goal net by Coral and Paul.

The event on the green in the Bryn-y-Gog estate took place outside the family house, just 300 yards from where April vanished.

She posed for a picture with five bikers, members of a "trike and bike" club who had driven up from Somerset and Wiltshire.

Their leader Stuart Lange said: "I have a daughter Sophie aged six and we wanted to show our sympathy."

Tribute: April's bench was made by big-hearted prisoners (Photo: Freelance Photos North Wales)

Into the skies: The balloons had happy birthday messages attached (Photo: Freelance Photos North Wales)

At the edge of the green "April's Bench," recently erected, had been decorated with a pink ribbon and a balloon marked 'Happy Birthday.'

The oak seat was crafted by big-hearted lags to honour little April.

The prisoners, from HMP Shrewsbury, used wood recovered from the River Severn, and wrote to Machynlleth Town Council with the idea for the gift, together with an engraved plaque.

April's family, friends and neighbours braved the biting cold to stay on to sing Happy Birthday, led by a DJ who supplied pop music for the event through two loudspeakers.

Members of April's extended family wandered through the crowds handing out pink bracelets they had made.

A balloon printed with April's face and the words "all our love on your birthday" had been sent to the family anonymously.

The Mayor of Machynlleth, Cllr Gareth Jones, who was present, said: "This shows once again the community's togetherness in the light of what occurred. The family is highly thought-of and their strength is an example to us all."

Town vicar Kathleen Rogers said: “It is a very sad anniversary. Every anniversary is sad for anybody who has lost their loved ones.

"It has been difficult for the family and the community.

“We are all grieving with the family. We are trying to move on. We want to encourage the visitors and holidaymakers to come to Machynlleth.

“We will never, ever forget this little girl, ever.

Earlier this week, the town marked six months since April disappeared from near her home where she was last seen playing on her bike.